My year of less and more: month five

I’ve now completed 5 months without purchasing clothes, shoes, or accessories. It feels so normal that I’m wondering if I might do a second year. How long would it take me to use up everything in my wardrobe? Would I find myself wearing a bizarre collection of items?

My New Year Revolution targets for May were:

• Create a list of places to visit in Essex
• Make a button collar
• Come up with some ideas about developing Not the vegan police

I managed the list of places in Essex with no problems. I finished it ahead of schedule. However progress on the other two was shockingly bad. I found it hard to find the time to sit down and sew. I considered this fair enough as I would need to meet various criteria to carry out this task (i.e. be at home, daylight, capable of stitching).

It does occur to me that if I’d taken 10 minutes to select the buttons I wanted to use this would have been a portable project. Likewise there is no excuse for not even starting to brainstorm ideas around Not the Vegan police. Getting started does seem to be the issue here. With future targets I will tell myself to do 2 minutes just to get started and hope this gets the ball rolling.

June targets are:

• Keep a sugar diary – just to see if I am indulging too much
• Write a real wild biography
• Upcycle a raincoat

Let’s see how the 2 minute rule works with these. I can also apply it to my Forty for 40 project which seems to have slowed down. My only progress has been to read a book on wild swimming.

 

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My year of less and more: month 2

I’ve now completed my second month with no purchases of clothes, shoes, or accessories. It’s not been difficult. However I have noted the following:

• It seems odd when I do walk through a shop selling clothes – as if I’d forgotten such things existed.
• Sales still catch my eye – I had to remind myself that I had no need of more shoes when I spotted a shop with a closing down sale.
• I’m finding more satisfaction in wearing the stuff I do have.

I’ve been setting myself 3 goals each month using the New Year Revolution planner. My goals for March are:

• Organise a vegan meet up in Chelmsford - all welcome
• Create a classics reading list for myself - suggestions welcome
• Sort out the garden - good weather welcome

 

I’m rather nervous about the vegan meet up, and know that I need to take action on this sooner rather than later. Hence I’ve made my other goals easy to ensure that I have no excuse for not doing it.

Last month I got organised with forty for 40, and assigned a few tasks for each month. So during March I’ll be looking at:

• Making crumpets – need to buy cook’s rings
• Planning a visit to Veganz in Berlin
• Making a green cape
• Organising a boudoir photo shoot with Carla and my bass

 

Wishing you all things green,

Annastasia

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Dry January

 

I always do a dry January. From the 3rd to tne 31st I avoid alcohol.

It's got nothing to do with detox, or making resolutions I won't keep. Instead it's a way of reminding myself how satisfying life without booze can be. See habits take time to develop, and changing or giving up a habit takes just as long. You have to practice quitting something a lot before actually doing it.

The first few years of Dry January the impact on the rest of the year was negligible. Then as if I'd gotten the hang of it I found that the memory stayed with me during the next few months. Or stayed with me enough to make me think that I might prefer a cup of tea to something stronger right into the summer.

And then it began to spread to the rest of the year. A replacement and refocus of my leisure activities until I'd suddenly realise that it had been several weeks since I'd poured wine to go with a meal, or gone to the pub - because I was too busy living my life. The festive season is now about gingerbread latte, rather than mulled wine.

So that's why my January is dry. To remind myself at the start of the year that there are other things I can do with my time.

 

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No new clothes for a year

I’m having a year where I don’t buy clothes. Or footwear. Or accessories. I have enough of everything, and despite not buying very much my apparel collection has been continuing to grow.

I’ve been inspired by various blogs I’ve read over the years who have done the same challenge. What I have noticed about these is that they are most interesting to read when thy feature a daily outfit photo. I can’t see me finding the time to do that, and I suspect there would be lots of repetition. However I will be reflecting at the end of each month (because 2014 seems to be all about reflection) on how it’s gone, if I’ve been tempted, and anything I’ve noted about my routine or habits.

During the first thirty one days of the challenge I’ve spotted the following:

• I’m in the habit of looking for new stuff even when I don’t need it. I’m particularly drawn to sales as a justification for this. So I had to make an active choice not to go into Office and see if they had any Melissa shoes (which I really don’t need).
• During the winter I rotate back and forth between 2 pairs of boots until they need to go on the repair pile. So the multiple pairs I have should keep me going for several winters!
• I need to start going through my mending pile on a regular basis.
• I’ve just started to log what I wear each day so that I can spot things I’m not wearing at all.

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Eleventh day, twelfth night

The days following Christmas are great for meals made up entirely of leftovers. As the days past and the choicest items are gone meals either get duller or more inventive. The first week in January is the one where you try to make sense out of what is left.

In my case two pots of hummus (that the label claims should be off by isn't), not as crisp as they could be vegetables, and some of the nut mountain.

Clockwise from top right:

• Brazil nuts, pistachio nuts, dark chocolate – should have added some dates
• Hummus with a blob of fig chutney
• Cracker selection
• Raw cabbage and carrots

To read – A greedy man in a hungry world by Jay Rayner. This promises to challenge my assumptions about food. I'm interested to see how this will compare to Not on the label. So far I'm willing to concede that supermarkets did open our eyes to a broad range of ingredients, and reduced the time it takes to shop. However it doesn't make the terms they offer suppliers any better. Let's see how things develop in the next few chapters.

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September blues

Everyone talks about the January blues. That period after Christmas when it’s cold and dark and a long way from summer. When there seems to be no joy in the world. When everyone is broke, on a diet, and just in hibernation.

Just like January, September is a time that is earmarked for new beginnings. It’s the start of the new academic year. You tell yourself that you’ll buckle down after the madness of summer. Then after a few days you’ve stopped packing inspiring lunches, ironing your clothes in advance, and doing morning yoga.

Instead life feels joyless as the days get colder and darker. Anything exciting seems a long way off. You have a strong urge to stay in bed with the cover over your head until next spring.

I’ve been facing the September blues by:

· Getting out of bed when the alarm goes off – may as well face up to the day

· Thinking about all the things I really enjoy at this time of year – seasonal vegetables, preparing to do a wardrobe changeover, stomping through piles of leaves

· Planning things to look forward to. This has nothing to do with looking ahead to Christmas. Instead I’ve booked places on some free talks (the local university has an excellent programme), and noted some free events to attend (impressive work by the City council).

· Taking time to relax – I’ve marked out a weekend to stay home and read – all weekend long

· Letting things go – I want to look for things to celebrate, not invite misery by getting worked up because a car is parking in the wrong place

Wishing you all things green,

Annastasia

 

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2013 Mid year review

At the start of the year I made a list of things I wanted to do in 2013. I reviewed them recently and my performance has been mixed!

Definitely making progress

• Start a burlesque troupe and perform with them - a definite 'yes' following the formation of the Paper Dolls and The Fling festival.
• Develop different income streams - I've certainly put plenty of energy into this area! In addition to Ink Drops Boxes the stationery subscription service I run with Carla of Ducking Fabulous, I've also been experimenting with Etsy, Ebay, Flea markets, and am working on a car boot sale and the green shop.
• Engage with people more - I've met loads of interesting people this year and said yes to far more opportunities to connect.

Could try harder

• Explore geocaching - lost my vibe on this after several fails at finding my 2nd cache.
• Make pasties, knickers and garters - made paper pasties in April, but bit of a fail on the rest
• Spend less time doing unnecessary things - there still aren't enough hours in the day.

Things to read

• The Woman in white
• To kill a mocking bird
• Treasure Island
• Pride and prejudice
• something by Ford Maddox Ford read The good soldier in April
• Anna Karenina

So looking at what I need to do for the rest of the year it's go geocaching, make some stuff, read plenty, and do less!

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That was 2012

At the start of every month I make a note of what I got up to during the previous month. It's been great looking at all the stuff I did during 2012. I'm really happy that I did so much, tried new things, and generally felt alive.

​January - surprisingly little clear up required after NYE party. Started my third Burlesque course. Enjoyed sobriety January. Moved offices. Began to learn Javascript with Codecademy. Visited the V&A and was rather taken with many things including the netsuke. Cleared out lots of cupboards. Experimented with marinated TVP.

​February - Went to exhibition of Mexican miracle paintings and amulets at Wellcome collection. Tried to do less and failed. Became a landlord. Thrilled car was washed while being MOT'd. Got stressed about keeping up with code lessons.

​March - Visited Vx and bought vegan junk food. Followed up with vegan hot dog and ice cream in the park. Continued with Burlesque classes including some with tassels. Acquired a green corset. Acquired a green top hat. Cleared out lots more stuff. Had a wonderful time in Rome. Drove with my niece in the car for first time (while bellowing Grand Old Duke of York). Went to a humanist funeral. Wondered if adding a funeral songs playlist to iPod would be morbid. Continued with code lessons. Drove a TT and decided that I didn’t want a sports car.

​April - made fresh pasta. Joined Burlesque class with a view to performing with the Red Hot Frilly Feathers. Made vegan aero tray bake and overloaded on sugar. Finally put a timer app on my camera. Got annoyed with a boring haircut and went home to take scissors to it. Bought shoes with ridiculous heels. Tried to keep up with daily quota of Bass, Burlesque, yoga, reading and code and realised that something had to give.

​May - Enjoyed NKOTB at O2 more than expected largely due to family time. Bought more heels. Looked into meditation courses but didn’t actually get around to booking anything. Spoke on Social Media at an Executive Briefing. Had to replace my iPhone but thrilled to be able to make full use of technology again. Went to Bristol Vegan Fayre and consumed ridiculous amounts of food. Got my summer clothes out and realised that most of them were too big. Alterations pile grew to mammoth proportions. Did loads of burlesque.

​June - Celebrated Jubilee by exhausting myself with auntie type duties and increasing my respect for parents and carers. Signed up for Instagram. Failed to understand ending of Alcatraz. Discovered the joy and stash busting that patchwork done on a sewing machine brings. Wore vintage to the japanese embassy. Saw Kokoro exhibition at Somerset House. Went to Okinawa day at Spitalfields market. Performed burlesque on stage for Jubliee celebrations (and got into local rag). Had an afternoon of drinking and planning with Carla and bought a green lace dress. Sewed like a demon for my first craft stand.

​July - Did my first handmade and vintage stall. Set up my Etsy shop. Drove an open top Porsche. Danced under the stars. Saw the Rolling Stones 50 exhibition at Somerset House. Came up with an idea for a business venture with Carla and began to put it into action. Drove to Somerset with my sister and her family (and back by myself). Did the Hot Fuzz tour tour in Wells. Finished a Princess and the pea playset just in time for my niece’s birthday. Ate vegan cupcakes and then went to vegan drinks. Remembered how much I enjoy swimming. Got drenched in torrential rain and acquired a rain poncho.

August - ​Went to V festival and got hit on the head by numerous objects. Camped at Reading festival and avoided such things. Picnicked in the park. Did a tassels workshop. Had a couple of teeth filled. Participated in Great Big Stitched Postcard swap (although my swapping partner failed to reciprocate). Went a car boot sale and picked up a horde of goodies.

September - ​Went to two trade fayres and decided to make Inkdrops a reality. Had a night out with the girls and danced to Motley Crue in the kitchen while drinking things both nice and horrid. Enjoyed carnival, especially the tractors. Heard Terry Pratchett speak in Ely Cathedral. Went to the Munch exhibtion at the Tate Modern and was reminded of my 18 year old self. Went to an evening of Burlesque and whooped lots. Took time off work to sew. Looked after my niece and lived to tell the tale. Got the problem with my car tyre solved. Played the 'name a food beginning with' game at London Vegan Drinks.

October - ​Worked at getting Inkdrops set up and ready to rock (with my awesome business partner). Had my own stall at a craft fayre and glowed when I sold a few pieces. Performed burlesque in a cabaret night. Visited The Third Estate to buy vegan boots. Danced at a Vintage night and got inspired by the vintage catwalk show. Went to Mimi’s annual pumpkin carving party. Carved a pumpkin, won the crown for longest apple peel and ate vegan mac and cheese. Went to Alice Cooper’s halloween night of fear and rocked along to Alice, Duff McKagan’s Loaded and Ugly Kid Joe.

November - ​My sister got married in a surprise ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall followed by a pint in the pub and dinner at Pizza Express. Was ill all month with a bug I couldn’t shake. Launched Inkdrops boxes with Carla. Got a new chartership mentor. Went to Cookies and Scream and adored time wandering around Camden. Went to Hogswatch and demonstrated Burlesque. Got 3 girls to dance with me at the Miss/Mr/Other Discowrld contest. Went yule shopping with my sister. Spent a weekend just resting.

December - ​Drove a Mini (and felt that gears are in the wrong place). Went to Christmas without cruelty fayre and engaged in more comsupion of vegan goodness. Packed up first Inkdrops order and discovered that suppliers can be unreliable. Did three craft and vintage fayres. Went to the Helle’s Belles Ball with Carla, and decided to start our own troupe. Made progress with Chartership thanks to awesome and inspiring new mentor. Acquired a ukulele. Worked on tax return. Viewed a derelict property with a view to renovation. Served Sloe Gin fizz at New Year, using the Sloe gin I made in 2011.

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My master plan for 2012

If my blog had a soundtrack there would be an evil cackle right now as I lure you into reading yet another photo free post where I set out yet another philosophy to live by. However philosophies for life have to change on a pretty regular basis because change is the only constant.
So my big ideas for at least the first few months of 2012 are as follows.

1. Accept that routine is a good thing that it frees the mind to get creative and ensures food is prepared, clothes are washed and that bills are paid. Also accept at I would be unlikely to be doing anything more exciting most of the time anyway.

2. Declutter one space in the house every week. Go for low standards on this and consider that even a single item counts as a declutter activity.

3. Sew something every Saturday. The same low standards apply but keep reminding self how nice it would be to clear my fabric stash.

4. Eat main meal at lunchtime on Sunday and embrace vegan brunch type dishes.

5. Spend an hour on Sunday preparing food for the coming week. Try to include a carb, a protein, a vegetable, a sauce or dip, a snack and a dessert.

6. Behave one weekend a quarter as if I am ill e.g. Do nothing, avoid alcohol, sleep, eat easy food and generally recharge my batteries.


That's it. Let's see how things pan out. Stay tuned.

That was the year that was - 2011 review

Here are my highlights from 2011. I must try to include illustration for the 2012 review!

January –  Has an alcohol free month with two exceptions and one major hangover. Visited the Future beauty: 30 years of Japanese Fashion exhibition.

February – Saw MCR in concert. Passed my driving test (after 19 years). Celebrated my unbirthday at a Beer festival.

March – Dressed up 60s style for my parent’s joint birthday party. Went to Yoshi Yamamoto exhibition at V&A. Bought my first car and terrified myself driving all over the place.

April – Went to Paris for the first time. Loved it. Went skiing for the first time. Hate is a strong word but… Had my first passenger in my car. Watched the royal wedding while wearing a Tinkerbell tiara.

May – Went to the Japan at Home exhibition. Got inspired by heatwave to change wardrobe over early. Walked a dog for the first time in my life.

June – Drove to Somerset and discovered that you can’t drive up really big hills in fifth gear. Stayed in an Easy Hotel. Dyed clothes green. Took part in belly dancing show.

July – Got stuck in massive traffic jam on M25. Celebrated my niece’s birthday with fairy lemonade. Drove around the countryside tracking down weights for a sash window.

August – Tried Zumba – energetic fun. Went to V Festival – loved Manic Street Preachers, You Me at Six and Good Charlotte. Enjoyed Judith Kerr exhibition at V&A childhood museum and bought my own copy of The tiger who came for tea. Hung out with my sister and grandparents for the day (and acquired a new green handbag). Spent a day recording with my band. Planned a fabulous west to East coast American road trip for 2014.

September – tried Burlesque and loved it. Dressed as Lara Croft for a fancy dress party and hung out with Hunter S. Thompson, Indiana Jones and a number of fairy tale princesses. Went to London Vegan drinks, met some amazing people and felt inspired.

October - a second night of Vegan London drinks and ate at Tibits – mmm! Went on Jack the Ripper walk. Joined a burlesque class and went to ‘an evening of Burlesque’. Enjoyed an afternoon of pumpkin carving and cider tasting.

November – Introduced my niece to fireworks (she was less than impressed). Discovered that one should always check the trains for engineering works before venturing into London. Went to the third London Vegan drinks and had even  more awesome vegan food. Made a skirt for a friend so that she could go to a party dressed as Jessica Rabbit (she did and looked so glam). Made steamed Setian. Went to Hogswatch in Wincanton and had a jolly time with friends and family.


December - Went to the Christmas without Cruelty fayre and enjoyed sampling various foods including cupcakes. Went to Westfield with my sister for a day of Christmas shopping. Hosted our 7th New Year party with 10 guests. My song of the year was Sure feels right by Sixx a.m. got  to bed at 4.31 ready to begin an awesome 2012.

My cures for the January blues

As much as I look forward to the fresh start a year represents it only takes a few weeks for me to realise that there is no such thing as new. There is always baggage. Your job and the rest of your life are still there waiting for you after Christmas. The things that you found annoying, irritating and downright unbearable did not vanish in a puff of glitter while you were eating vegan mince pies.

Furthermore you’ll have forgotten all the coping strategies that you had in place to get you through the day. You know, the routines that you abandoned sometime after Halloween on the grounds that the festive season was here.

So these are what I’m doing this January to remind me that there is more than the 9-5 grind.

They might not do it for you. You might not feel blue in January. But currently they are working for me.

Get out
Force yourself to leave your place of work every lunchtime. Even if it’s only for 15 minutes. Walk, breathe deeply, look around you, find out what’s down that side road you’ve always wondered about. Go out even if it’s snowing or raining. It breaks up your day, get your blood circulating and remind you that you are free.

Get a stack of books
Go to your nearest library and get a pile of books that you really like the look of. Some libraries are better at displaying tempting titles than others. If you really can’t find anything you like visit a bookshop, make a note of the titles they have on display that you fancy and then ask your library for them. Take your mound of books away and delight in the escape to other places that awaits you. Relish the excuse to wrap yourself up in a big blanket and read the long booze free evenings away. Congratulate yourself on what you’ve picked up for free. Make a note of the return date on your diary or calendar and pat yourself on the back for being well organised.

Shop with caution
Even if you are not overdrawn spending loads of cash on the sales will not make you feel less blue. If you are shopping for essentials in your lunch hour make a list and buy one item each day of the week. You’ll feel less inclined to throw all kinds of sale odds and ends into the basket. In fact, don’t even pick up a basket. You’re only buying one item. Why do you need a basket? Feel smug at not being sucked into buying yet more nonsense in the sales.

Start to plan ahead
Make a list of birthdays and other events over the coming year that will require presents and cards. Do one for next Christmas while you are at it. Make a note in your diary to check list at regular intervals. Begin to write in ideas for presents. Only buy presents that you spot in the sale if (a) they will not date and (b) you have storage space for them. While you’re at it plan meals and clothes for the next few days. Feel proud at your ability to take control of your life.

Focus
Whatever you are doing, focus totally on it. Don’t be tempted to put it off. Get it done and move on to the next thing. There’s nothing like a sense of completion to chip away at the blues.

Sleep well
I find that I sleep better if I do a few minutes of gentle yoga before bed. Nothing fancy. Some stretches, a roll down or two. If I still can’t sleep I make plans in my head or think positive thoughts. Or dig out some of that pulse point oil that you got for Christmas a year or two back, apply and breathe deeply.

Have an incentive for getting up
The thing that gets me out of bed in the morning is knowing that I will be plunging my feet into be warm slipper boots and that I can have a chunk of Lush emotibomb in the shower if I think I really need it. Relish the though that you already know what you are going to wear and have the days meals already in hand.

Friends
I find that talking to friends even if it’s only to moan makes me feel so much better. It’s good to know that you have people who feel that same as you. It’s good to make plans for the future. It’s good to recall later in the day people you spoke with earlier and know that you are not alone on this planet.

Looking in both directions

Looking back at the posts I did at the start of last year, reviewing the year just past and looking to the year ahead, it seems that my hopes for the year ahead don’t vary much http://prettylittleblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-year-to-come.html

2009 review
Started belly dancing again. Baked lots of vegan cupcakes. Did the Moonwalk. Saw NKOTB and Alice Cooper. Went to V09. Played a musical instrument in public for the first time in over 25 years. Discovered a café serving vegan food. Made strawberry wine. Dyed my hair with Elderberries. Bought and played electro-acoustic bass guitar. Danced and went to bed late in Leamington and Nottingham. One funeral and one wedding. Altered and made clothes using a dressmaking dummy (enter Rosie) for fittings. Started filing my nails regularly. Had a regular massage. Took Pilates and Yoga classes. Made a decision about my online business. Sold stuff on eBay. Started a new blog. Increased my fear of dogs. Discovered the hazards of wearing new shoes to festivals. Carted manure around in a wheelbarrow. Read and felt inspired by lots of books. Attended vitality show and tried out Burlesque. Went to cocktails and cupcakes party. Bought more music CDs than ever before and listened to them. Planted Raspberries (just waiting to get a crop from them). Went on secondment at work and developed. Attended summer beauty morning and lunch ( and decided to have my own home spa mornings in future). Climbed Glastonbury Tor. Hosted a ‘weekend at Bernies’ party. Cried, argued and sulked. Discovered Last.fm.

Plans and dreams for 2010
Buy a Rickenbacker 4003. Go to Sonisphere and V. Dance – lots. Eat loads of veg. Play bass and get to the end of grade 3. Get back into exercising. File nails. Come up with killer business idea. Complete chartership. Take lunch to work everyday. Buy less and make do more. Work my allotment with buddies. Find out how to become a good listener. Read War and Peace. Learn to read music. Do you yoga before bed. Have a Lush party. Belly dance. Learn to forage. Keep working at a vegan diet. Dye my hair green. Use up my fabric stash.